GB2304441A

GB2304441A - Radio receiver for reproducing a received message by voice synthesis

Info

Publication number: GB2304441A
Application number: GB9617281A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Li Ping Zeng
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1995-08-17
Filing date: 1996-08-16
Publication date: 1997-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-16
Also published as: JP3105767B2; GB2304441B; CN1145000A; KR970013824A; JPH0955670A; KR100194309B1; GB9617281D0; CN1102822C

Abstract

A radio receiver voice-synthesises voice patterns indicated by a received message, to output the voice patterns. Responsive to the operation of a switch 27 a control unit 22 reads a message from a memory unit 23 and successively produces 24 a plurality of voice patterns in accordance with the message. The voice patterns are voice-synthesized 25 and then supplied to a loudspeaker 26. A counter counts 28 up a count result whenever each of the voice patterns is produced. Responsive to a reproduction request signal from a holding key 29, the control unit 22 produces a predetermined number of previous voice patterns preceding a current one of the voice patterns, with reference to the count result.

Description

RADIO RECEIVER FOR REPRODUCING A RECEIVED MESSAGE BY VOICE SYNTHESIS This invention relates to a radio receiver and, in particular, to a radio receiver for voice-synthesizing voice patterns indicated by a received message to output the voice patterns.

Generally, a radio receiver of the type described memorizes a received voice message. When the user of the radio receiver desires to know the content of the message, he presses a reproduction switch. In this event, a control unit of the receiver which is responsive to a signal from the reproduction switch requests a voice synthesizer unit to reproduce the voice message. Thus, the received voice message is reproduced by the voice synthesizer unit to be output from a loudspeaker as a vocal sound.

When the conventional radio receiver, receives a voice message, particularly a lengthy voice message, it is often the case that the voice message contains an unclear portion which is difficult to hear, or else a missing portion. This is because the voice message is continuously output as a sequential vocal sound.

Particularly when the voice message contains those factors such as numerals which are difficult to memorize, it is necessary to repeat the reproducing operation to listen to the voice message from the beginning. This results in a waste of time.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication N" 221720/1988 discloses a radio receiver having a function of repeating a received content by operating a reproduction switch. In this technique, any part of the received content which has been missed is reproduced by the use of a voice synthesizer unit. However, since the received content as memorized is varied one after another from time to time, it is impossible to repeat the same content twice or more.

Specific embodiments of this invention aim to provide a radio receiver having a function which is convenient in reproducing a received message.

Another aim is to provide a radio receiver of the type described, which is capable of easily and accurately reproducing an unclear or missing portion of a voice message without repeatedly listening to the voice message from the beginning.

Other objects of this invention will become clear as the description proceeds.

The invention in its various aspects is defined in the independent claims below, to which reference should now be made. Advantageous features are set forth in the appendant claims.

In one aspect of the present invention provides a radio receiver comprising message memorizing means for memorizing a message which is received by the radio receiver and pattern producing means connected to the memorizing means for successively producing a plurality of voice patterns in accordance with the message. A combination of the voice patterns is representative of the message.The radio receiver further comprises counting means connected to the pattern producing means for counting up a count result whenever each of the voice patterns is produced, signal producing means for producing a reproduction request signal, means connected to the pattern producing means, the counting means, and the signal producing means and responsive to the reproduction request signal, for making the pattern producing means produce an previous one preceding a current one of the voice patterns by a predetermined number with reference to the count result, and voice producing means connected to the pattern producing means for producing a voice in accordance with each of the voice patterns.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a radio receiver for voice synthesizing voice patterns indicated by a message. The radio receiver outputs, as an internal signal, each of the voice patterns. The radio receiver comprises message memorizing means for memorizing the message, counting means for counting the output order of the voice patterns to produce a count result, and means for receiving, during output of the voice patterns, an external request requesting reproduction of the voice patterns already output to successively output those of the voice patterns starting from an earlier one preceding by a predetermined number of patterns with reference to the count result at the time when the external request is supplied.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a radio receiver comprising standard pattern memorizing means for memorizing standard patterns corresponding to predetermined pattern numbers. The radio receiver is for voice-synthesizing selected voice patterns corresponding to particular pattern numbers indicated by a received message to output, as an internal signal, each of the selected voice patterns.The radio receiver further comprises memorizing means for memorizing the message, counting means for counting the output order of the selected voice patterns, and means for receiving, during output of the selected voice patterns corresponding to the particular pattern numbers, an external request requesting reproduction of the selected voice patterns already output to successively output those of the voice patterns starting from an earlier one preceding by a predetermined number of patterns with reference to a count result counted by the counting means at the time when the external request is supplied.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a conventional radio receiver; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a radio receiver according to an embodiment of this invention; Figure 3 is a flow chart for describing a part of an operation of the radio receiver illustrated in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a flow chart for describing another part of the operation of the radio receiver of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a view illustrating a standard voice pattern unit used in the radio receiver illustrated in Figure 2; and Figure 6 is a view for describing a reproducing operation of the radio receiver illustrated in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, there now follows a description of a conventional radio receiver, for a better understanding of this invention. The conventional radio receiver comprises a receiving circuit 11, a control unit 12, a memory unit 13, a standard voice pattern unit 14, a voice synthesizer unit 15, a loudspeaker 16, and a switch 17. A voice message is received through a radio carrier path 200 by the receiving circuit 11 and stored in the memory unit 13 under control of the control unit 12. The control unit 12 is responsive to a reproduction request from the switch 17 and reads the voice message stored in the memory unit 13. Voice patterns corresponding to the voice message are picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 14 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 15.

The voice patterns synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 15 are output from the loudspeaker 16 as a vocal sound. The standard voice pattern unit 14 stores preselected voice patterns in correspondence to pattern numbers. The voice message comprises a plurality of selected pattern numbers indicative of the content to be communicated. The control unit 12 controls each component of the radio receiver.

Turning to Fig. 2, the description will now be made as regards a radio receiver according to an embodiment of this invention. The radio receiver comprises a receiving circuit 21, a control unit 22, a memory unit 23, a standard voice pattern unit 24, a voice synthesizer unit 25, a loudspeaker 26, a switch 27, a counter 28, and a holding key 29. A voice message is received through a radio carrier path 100 by a receiving circuit 21 and is stored in the memory unit 23 under control of the control unit 22. In this event, the memory unit 23 is referred to as a message memorizing arrangement.

In response to operation, the switch 27 produces a reproduction request signal. In this event, the switch 27 is referred to as a signal producing arrangement.

Responsive to the reproduction request signal, the control unit 22 reads the voice message stored in the memory unit 23. Voice patterns corresponding to the voice message are picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24. In other words, the control unit 22 successively produces a plurality of voice patterns in accordance with the message. In this event, the control unit 22 is referred to as a pattern producing arrangement. In addition, the voice patterns are synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into synthesized voice patterns.

Responsive to the synthesized voice patterns, the loudspeaker 26 produces a voice message or a vocal sound.

A combination of the voice synthesizer unit 25 and the loudspeaker 26 is referred to as a voice producing arrangement. The counter 28 counts the output order of the voice patterns. In other words, the counter 28 counts up a count result whenever each of the voice patterns is produced.

The standard voice pattern unit 24 stores a plurality of preselected voice patterns as standard patterns in one-to-one correspondence to predetermined pattern numbers. In this event, the standard voice pattern unit 24 will be referred to as a standard pattern memorizing arrangement.

The voice message comprises a plurality of selected pattern numbers indicative of the content to be communicated. In other words, the voice message is represented by a combination of selected ones of predetermined pattern numbers.

The control unit 22 controls each component of the voice output radio receiver. In response to a holding request from the holding key 29, the control unit 22 temporarily stops the reproducing operation of the voice message that is voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 and output from the loudspeaker 26 as the vocal sound. Supplied with the holding request from the holding key 29 again, the control unit 22 again reproduces a preselected range of the voice message with reference to the content of the counter 28.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 in addition, the description will be directed to an operation of the radio receiver. The voice message is transmitted through the radio carrier path 100. Received by the receiving circuit 21, the voice message is stored in the memory unit 23 under control of the control unit 22. The user operates the switch 27 to select a message reproduction mode and then presses the switch 27 to enter a voice message reproduction request (step S1 in Fig. 3).

In this event, the control unit 22 is responsive to the reproduction request and reads the voice message stored in the memory unit 23. The selected voice patterns corresponding to the voice message are picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24. More particularly, the control unit 22 selects, as the voice patterns, ones of the standard patterns with reference to the selected ones of the predetermined pattern numbers. In this event, the control unit 22 will be referred to as a selecting arrangement. The selected voice patterns are voicesynthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into the synthesized voice patterns.

In this event, the control unit 22 controls the counter 28 to make a count value i be equal to 1 (step 52 in Fig. 3). Thereafter, the voice synthesizer unit 25 voice-synthesizes a message portion corresponding to a first pattern in the voice message. The message portion is announced from the loudspeaker 26 (step S3 in Fig. 3).

Specifically, the control unit 22 picks up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 a particular voice pattern corresponding to a first pattern number contained in the voice message. The particular voice pattern is voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 as the vocal sound which is announced from the loudspeaker 26.

At this time, the control unit 22 makes the memory unit 23 memorize the first pattern number in correspondence to the output order m(l) (step S4 in Fig. 3). In this event, the memory unit 23 will be referred to as a pattern number memorizing arrangement.

After the first message is announced, the control unit 22 successively adds "1" to the count value (which represents output order) i of the counter 28 (step S7 in Fig. 3). A message portion corresponding to the i-th pattern is voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 and announced from the loudspeaker 26 (step S8 in Fig. 3). At this time, the control unit 22 makes the memory unit 23 memorize the i-th pattern number in correspondence to the output order m(i) (step S9 in Fig. 3).

Thus, until the received voice message comes to an end, the control unit 22 successively picks up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 selected voice patterns corresponding to the pattern numbers in the voice message. The selected voice patterns are voicesynthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 and announced from the loudspeaker 26 (steps S5 through S9 in Fig. 3).

During the voice message reproducing operation described above, the user who could not clearly catch the reproduced vocal sound presses the holding key 29 in order to listen to the voice message once again.

In response to operation, the holding key 29 produces a stop request signal as a holding request. In this event, the holding key 29 will be referred to as an additional signal producing arrangement.

Responsive to the stop request signal, the control unit 22 temporarily stops the voice message reproducing operation in response to a signal from the holding key 29. In this event, the control unit 22 will be referred to as a stopping arrangement.

Thereafter, when the user presses the holding key 29 again to request relistening operation, the control unit 22 is responsive to a second signal from the holding key 29 and judges that the relistening operation of the voice message is requested (step S6 in Fig. 3). Judgment is made whether or not the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than a predetermined value equal to 5 (step S10 in Fig. 3).

When the control unit 22 judges that the count value i of the counter 28 is not greater than the predetermined value, the operation returns to the step S2 to reproduce those of the voice patterns starting from the one corresponding to the first pattern number in the voice message. When the control unit 22 judges that the count value is greater than the predetermined value, the voice message is reproduced again starting from the fifth last pattern as counted from a stop portion at which the reproduction of the voice message is interrupted (steps Sll to S15 in Fig. 4). On carrying out these reproductions, the control unit 22 will be referred to as a supplying arrangement. On stating one of the reproductions, the control unit 22 will be referred to as a starting arrangement.

Specifically, when the control unit 22 judges that the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than the predetermined value, a return number s is set equal to 5 in order to return to a preceding portion preceding by a predetermined number of patterns and to listen to the voice message once again from the preceding portion (step S11 in Fig. 4).

Thereafter, the control unit 22 subtracts 1 from the return number s (step S12 in Fig. 4). The voice pattern corresponding to the pattern number of the output order m memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into the vocal sound which is announced from the loudspeaker 26 (step S13 in Fig. 4).

More particularly, the control unit 22 is responsive to the reproduction request signal and makes the pattern producing arrangement produce an previous one preceding a current one of the voice patterns by a predetermined number with reference to the count result.

In this event, the control unit 22 will be referred to as a making arrangement.

The control unit 22 repeatedly carries out the above-mentioned relistening operation until the return number s becomes equal to 0 (steps S12 through S15 in Fig. 4). When the return number s is equal to 0, the control unit 22 returns to the step S6 to continue the reproducing operation of the voice message.

During the relistening operation, the possessor may press the holding key 29 in order to carry out another relistening operation. In this event, the control unit 22 temporarily stops the reproducing operation of the voice message in response to a signal from the holding key 29.

Thereafter, when the possessor presses the holding key 29 again to request the relistening operation, the control unit 22 is responsive to the second signal from the holding key 29 and judges that the relistening operation of the voice message is requested (step 14 in Fig. 4). Judgment is made whether or not a value obtained by subtracting the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than the predetermined value, namely, 5 (step S16 in Fig. 4).

When the control unit 22 judges that the value obtained by subtracting the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 is not greater than the predetermined value, the operation returns to the step S2 to reproduce the voice patterns starting from the one corresponding to the first pattern number in the voice message.

When the control unit 22 judges that the value obtained by subtracting the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than the predetermined value, the return number s is subtracted from the count value i of the counter 28 (step S17 in Fig. 4). The operation returns to the step S12 to repeatedly carry out the above-mentioned relistening operation until the return number s becomes equal to 0 (steps S12 to S15 in Fig. 4).

Turning to Fig. 5, the description will be directed to the standard voice pattern unit 24. In the manner which will presently be described, the standard voice pattern unit 24 comprises first, second, and third storage areas 24a, 24B and 24c for preliminarily storing standard voice patterns indicative of numerals, words, and regular phrases in correspondence to pattern numbers, respectively.

In the first area 24a, the standard voice patterns indicative of the numerals "0", "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6" "7", "8", and "9" are stored in correspondence to the pattern numbers "00", "01", "02", "03", "04", "05", "06", "07", "08", and "09", respectively. The other numerals may be stored in correspondence to the other pattern numbers, respectively.

In the second area 24b, the standard voice patterns indicative of the words "urgent", "that", "is", "have", "because", "to", and "morning" are stored in correspondence to the pattern numbers "20", "21", "22", "23", "24", "25", and "26", respectively. Furthermore, the standard voice patterns indicative of the words "a", "i", "u", "e", "o", "ka", "ki", "ku", "ke", "ko" are stored in correspondence to the pattern numbers "27", "28", "29", "30", "31", "32", "33", "34", "35", and "36 respectively. The other words may be stored in correspondence to the other pattern numbers, respectively.

In the third area 24c, the standard voice patterns indicative of the regular phrases "please call", "good morning", "thank you", "want to contact", "listen to the message phone", and "good night" are stored in correspondence to the pattern numbers "50", "51", "52", "53", "54", and "55", respectively. The other regular phrases may be stored in correspondence to the other pattern numbers, respectively.

As described above, in the first through the third areas 24a through 24c, any one of the pattern numbers is assigned with any one of the numerals, the words, and the regular phrases. The voice synthesizer unit 25 voice-synthesizes the standard voice patterns corresponding to those pattern numbers one by one for output through the loudspeaker 26. For example, the' vocal sound of "O" is produced for the pattern number "00". The vocal sound of "urgent" is produced for the next pattern number "20".

Referring to Fig. 6 in addition, the description will be made as regards the reproducing operation of the radio receiver. Here, it will be assumed that a possessor of the radio receiver has the Japanese name of "Keiko" and that a message "Keiko, please urgently call to 0315370864" is transmitted to the radio receiver. In this event, a receiving circuit 11 receives the message "35/28/36/20/25/00/03/01/05/03/07/00/08/06/04/50" as the voice message. Actually, the voice message "352836202500030503070008060450" is received.

The above-mentioned message is stored in the memory unit 23 under control of the control unit 22.

When the user operates the switch 27 to select a message reproduction mode and then presses the switch 27 to enter the voice message reproduction request, the control unit 22 reads the voice message stored in the memory unit 23 in response to the reproduction request.

Voice patterns corresponding to the voice message are picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25.

In this event, the control unit 22 at first makes a count value i of the counter 28 be equal to 1.

Accordingly, the standard voice pattern "ke" corresponding to the first pattern number "35" in the voice message is voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 to be announced from the loudspeaker 26. At this time, the control unit 22 makes the memory unit 23 memorize the first pattern number "35" in correspondence to the output order m(l).

In order to continuously reproduce the foilowing portion of the message, the control unit 22 makes the count value i of the counter 28 be equal to 2.

Accordingly, the standard voice pattern "i" corresponding to the second pattern number "28" in the voice message is voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 to be announced from the loudspeaker 26. At this time, the control unit 22 makes the memory unit 23 memorize the second pattern number "28" in correspondence to the output order m(2).

Likewise, the control unit 22 successively makes the count value i of the counter 28 be equal to 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Accordingly, the standard voice patterns "to", "urgent", "to", won, "3", "1", and "5" corresponding to the pattern numbers "36", "20", "25", "or", "03", "01", and "05" in the voice message, respectively, are voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 to be announced from the loudspeaker 26.

At this time, the control unit 22 makes the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, the seventh, the eighth pattern numbers "36", "20", "25", "00", "03", "01", and "05" be memorized in correspondence to the output orders m(3), m(4), m(5), m(6), m(7), m(8), and m(9), respectively.

It is assumed here that the user could not clearly hear any one of the standard voice patterns "3", "1", and n 5 n and presses the holding key 29 immediately after the standard voice pattern "5" has been heard. In this event, the control unit 22 temporarily stops the reproducing operation of the standard voice pattern n 3 8 corresponding to the ninth pattern number "03" in the voice message and subsequent voice patterns.

Thereafter, when the user presses the holding key 29 again to request a relistening operation, the control unit 22 is responsive to a second signal from the holding key 22 and judges that the relistening operation of the voice message is requested. Then, judgment is made whether or not the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than the predetermined value, namely, 6.

In this case, the count value i of the counter 28 is equal to "9". Therefore, the control unit 22 judges that the count value i of the counter 29 is greater than the predetermined value. Reproduction of the message is repeated from a preceding portion preceding by five patterns from the stop portion where the reproduction of the voice message is temporarily stopped.

Specifically, after the return number s is set equal to 6, the control unit 22 calculates the return number s as follows: S = 5 - 1 - 6 - 1 - 5.

In addition, the control unit 22 calculates the output order m(i - s) in the memory unit 23 as follows: m(i - s) " m(9 - 5) = m(4).

The standard voice pattern "urgent" corresponding to the pattern number "20" of the output order m(4) memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into the vocal sound. The vocal sound of "urgent" is announced from the loudspeaker 26.

Likewise, the control unit 22 calculates the return number s as follows: 5 - 5 - 1 - 5 - 1 - 4.

In addition, the control unit 22 calculates the output order m(i - s) in the memory unit 23 as follows: m(i - s) - m(9 - 4) - m(5).

The standard voice pattern "to" corresponding to the pattern number "25" of the output order m(5) memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into the vocal sound. The vocal sound of "to" is announced from the loudspeaker 26.

Then, the control unit 22 calculates the return number s as follows: S = 5 - 1 - 4 - 1 = 3.

In addition, the control unit 22 calculates the output order m(i - s) in the memory unit 23 as follows: m(i - s) n m(9 - 3) - m(6).

The standard voice pattern "0" corresponding to the pattern number "00" of the output order m(6) memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into a vocal sound. The vocal sound of "0" is announced from the loudspeaker 26.

Then, the control unit 2 calculates the return number s as follows: 5 = 5 - 1 - 3 - 1 - 2.

In addition, the control unit 22 calculates the output order m(i - s) in the memory unit 23 as follows: m(i - s) = m(9 - 2) = m(7).

The standard voice pattern "3" corresponding to the pattern number "03" of the output order m(7) memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into a vocal sound. The vocal sound of "3" is announced from the loud speaker 26.

Furthermore, the control unit 22 calculates the return number s as follows: 5 = 5 - 1 = 2 - I = 1.

In addition, the control unit 22 calculates the output order m(i - s) as follows: m(i - s) = m(9 - 1) = m(8).

The standard voice pattern "1" corresponding to the pattern number "01" of the output order m(8) memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into a vocal sound. The vocal sound of "1" is announced from the loudspeaker 26.

Subsequently, the control unit 22 calculates the return number s as follows: s = s - 1 = 1 - 1 = O.

In addition, the control unit 22 calculates the output order m(i - s) as follows: m(i - s) = m(9 - 0) = m(9).

The standard voice pattern "5" corresponding to the pattern number "05" of the output order m(i - s) memorized in the memory unit 23 is picked up from the standard voice pattern unit 24 and voice-synthesized by the voice synthesizer unit 25 into a vocal sound. The vocal sound of "5" is announced from the loudspeaker 26.

When the vocal sound of "5" is reproduced, the return number s is equal to 0. Accordingly, the control unit 22 continues the reproducing operation of the standard voice pattern "3" corresponding to the ninth pattern number "03" according to the count number of 9 and subsequent voice patterns.

In the above-mentioned relistening operation, another relistening operation may be desired. In this event, when the user presses the holding key 29 for another relistening operation, the control unit 22 temporarily stops the reproducing operation of the voice message in response to a signal from the holding key 29.

Thereafter, the user presses the holdihg key 29 once again to request the relistening operation. The control unit 22 is responsive to a second signal from the holding key 29 and judges that the relistening operation of the voice message is requested. When the value obtained by subtracting the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than the predetermined value, the return number s is subtracted from the count value i of the counter 28 in order to carry out the relistening operation back to the preceding portion preceding by the predetermined number of patterns. The relistening operation is carried out once again in the manner similar to that described above.

When the control unit 22 judges that the value obtained by subtracting the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 is not greater than the predetermined value, reproduction is carried out starting from the voice pattern corresponding to the first pattern number in the voice message.

In the above-mentioned relistening operation, it is assumed that the user presses the holding key 29 at the time instant when the reproduction of the vocal sound of "1" has been completed. In this event, the return number s is equal to "1". The control unit 22 subtracts the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 as fdllows: i - 5 - 9 - 1 - 8.

Accordingly, the control unit 22 judges that the value obtained by subtracting the return number s from the count value i of the counter 28 is greater than the predetermined value of 6. In order to carry out the relistening operation back to the preceding portion preceding by the predetermined number of patterns, the return number s is subtracted from the count value i of the counter 28. The relistening operation is carried out once again in the manner similar to that described above.

In this case, the vocal sound "i ko urgent to 0 3 1" is reproduced.

As described above, when the user presses the holding key 29 at any portion during reproduction of the voice message, the reproduction of the voice message is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, when the user presses the holding key 29 once again, the content he wants to listen to once more can be reproduced again.

Thus, in the relistening operation of the voice message, it is unnecessary to repeatedly listen to the voice message from the beginning. Accordingly, the content of the voice message can be accurately caught.

Particularly when the voice message is long, it is possible to save the consumption of time required to repeatedly listen to the voice message from the beginning.

Such temporary interruption of the reproduction of the voice message is also helpful in recording numerals and other information. This is very advantageous as compared with the prior art where the voice message, which has once been heard to the end, must be repeatedly listened from the beginning in order to reach any unclear or escaped content.

As described above, in the voice output radio receiver comprising the voice synthesizer unit 25 for voice-synthesizing the voice patterns indicated by the received voice message to output the voice patterns from the loudspeaker 26, the counter 28 counts the output order of the voice patterns output in accordance with the voice message memorized in the memory unit 23.

During output of the voice patterns indicated by the voice message, the external request can be supplied from the holding key 29 to request the reproduction of the voice patterns already output, In response, the reproduction is carried out successively from the voice pattern preceding by the predetermined number of patterns with reference to the output order at the time when the external request is supplied. Thus, it is possible to readily and accurately reproduce any unclear or escaped portion of the voice message.

Accordingly, even when the received message contains those factors such as numerals difficult to hear or even when the received message is long, the message can be accurately caught without listening to the message once again from the beginning.

It is therefore possible to shorten the time required for the relistening operation and to simplify the message reproducing operation. In addition, the content of the message can be recorded utilizing the temporary stop function by the use of the holding key 29.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A radio receiver comprising: message memorizing means for memorizing a message which is received by said radio receiver; pattern producing means connected to said memorizing means for successively producing a plurality of voice patterns in accordance with said message, a combination of said voice patterns being representative of said message; counting means connected to said pattern producing means for counting up a count result whenever each of said voice patterns is produced; signal producing means for producing a reproduction request signal; means connected to said pattern producing means, said counting means, and said signal producing means and responsive to said reproduction request signal for making said pattern producing means produce a previous one preceding a current one of said voice patterns by a predetermined number with reference to said count result; and voice producing means connected to said pattern producing means for producing a voice in accordance with each of said voice patterns.

2. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 1, wherein said message is represented by a combination of selected ones of predetermined pattern numbers, said pattern producing means comprising: standard pattern memorizing means for memorizing a plurality of standard patterns in one-to-one correspondence to said predetermined pattern numbers; and selecting means connected to said message memorizing means and said pattern memorizing means for selecting, as said voice patterns, ones of said standard patterns with reference to said selected ones of the predetermined pattern numbers.

3. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: pattern number memorizing means connected to said pattern producing means and said counting means for memorizing each of said voice selected ones of the predetermined pattern number in correspondence to said count result; supplying means connected to said pattern number memorizing means and said voice producing means for supplying said selected ones of the predetermined pattern number from said pattern number memorizing means to said voice producing means; and starting means connected to said supplying means for starting the operation of said supplying means.

4. A radio receiver as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: additional signal producing means for producing a stop request signal; and stopping means connected to said additional signal producing means and said pattern producing means for stopping the operation of said pattern producing means in response to said stop request signal.

5. A radio receiver for voice-synthesizing voice patterns indicated by a message, said radio receiver outputting, as an internal signal, each of said voice patterns, said radio receiver comprising: message memorizing means for memorizing said message; counting means for counting the output order of said voice patterns to produce a count result; and means for receiving, during output of said voice patterns, an external request requesting reproduction of said voice patterns already output to successively output those of said voice patterns starting from an earlier one preceding by a predetermined number of patterns with reference to said count result at the time when said external request is supplied.

6. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 5, further comprising voice pattern memorizing means for memorizing each of said voice patterns in correspondence to said count result, said radio receiver being responsive to said external request for outputting said voice patterns with reference to said count result.

7. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising means responsive to a first activating operation for producing an external request to temporarily stop said reproduction of said voice patterns and responsive to a second activating operation for producing another external request to request said reproduction of said voice patterns already output.

8. A radio receiver comprising standard pattern memorizing means for memorizing standard patterns corresponding to predetermined pattern numbers, said radio receiver being for voice-synthesizing selected voice patterns corresponding to particular pattern numbers indicated by a received message to output, as an internal signal, each of said selected voice patterns, said receiver further comprising: memorizing means for memorizing said message; counting means for counting the output order of said selected voice patterns; and means for receiving, during output of said selected voice patterns, corresponding to said particular pattern numbers, an external request requesting reproduction of said selected voice patterns already output to successively output those of said voice patterns starting from an earlier one preceding by a predetermined number of patterns with reference to a count result counted by said counting means at the time when said external request is supplied.

9. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 8, further comprising voice pattern memorizing means for memorizing each of said particular pattern numbers in correspondence to said count result, said radio receiver being responsive to said external request for outputting said selected voice patterns corresponding to said particular pattern numbers with reference to said current count result.

10. A radio receiver as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising means responsive to a first activating operation for producing an external request to temporarily stop said reproduction of said selected voice patterns and responsive to a second activating operation for producing another external request to request said reproduction of said selected voice patterns already output.

11. A radio receiver substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.